Human social and cognitive development is largely an outcome of the child rearing practices of the cultural subgroups which make up modern society. While the social classes are the most pervasive and powerful in their influence, ethnic subgroups are also effective. (MS)

Summarizes the theory of psychological differentiation and reviews recent cross-cultural research on the roles of child rearing, culture, and ecology in the development of individual, group, and sex differences in the field dependence-field independence cognitive style component of psychological differentiation. (SS)

In this article particular attention is paid to research directly or indirectly relevant to child development programs and supplemental child care. Emphasis is given to the integration of findings, the identification of unaddressed questions, and methodological problems. (MS)